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Caramoan Mayor Francis Benemerito (right) and Municipal Kagawad Celestino Enciso inspect initial work on the approach to the Presidential Bridge at Ilawod, Caramoan being built by the provincial government to hasten tourism development in the municipality |
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The provincial government of Camarines Sur has commenced the construction of a Presidential Bridge that will span Manapot River at barangay Ilawod in Caramoan town, the bottleneck that hampers year-round access to Gota Beach.
The concrete and steel bridge, estimated to cost about P14 million, is a vital step in the tourism development thrust of Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte in Caramoan since Gota Beach which the bridge will connect is considered the gateway to more than a dozen tourism rites of fabulous beaches and exotic islets.
These tourism potentials are generally believed to be much better than the world famous Boracay Beach in Aklan province.
Bridge materials were obtained by the Philippine government from the Austrian government and were originally intended for Tagum City in Davao del Norte.
Governor Villafuerte, however made representation to have the Presidential Bridge diverted to Caramoan because of his tourism development plan. Transporting the materials alone from Tagum City to Caramoan had cost P 1.5 million. The provincial government still has to put up counterpart funds for the bridge approaches.
According to Engr. Vicente Abundabar of the Provincial Engineer’s Office the bridge will have a total length of 50 lineal meters and will have a double lane 7.30 meters wide.
Expected to be finished in 180 working days or before the end of the year, the bridge will have a life span of at least 100 years.
Meanwhile, residents are optimistic that after the Presidential Bridge is completed the provincial government would bring in investors to put up hotels and other tourist facilities needed to attract foreign tourists.
